A comparison of Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s is an interesting one, as you will find out. They are not very far apart on the spectrum. Generally speaking, Samsung’s A-series offer the best value for money, as they are designed to challenge the onslaught of pocket-friendly brands like Xiaomi, TECNO, Infinix, Realme and others.
The Samsung Galaxy A12 is from December 2020 and the Samsung Galaxy A21s from May 2020. They are just a few months apart in terms of release dates. The question now is, What features and specifications do they individually bring to the table, and at what prices? Come with us as we get started.
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s: Comparison Table
| Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A21s |
| 6.5 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio, PLS IPS | 6.5 inches, 720 × 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio, PLS IPS |
| Android 10 + One UI 2.0 Upgradable to Android 11 OneUI 3.1 | Android 10 + One UI 2.0 Upgradable to Android 11 OneUI 3.1 |
| Octa-core MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) 2.3 GHz | Octa-core Exynos 850 (8nm), 2.0 GHz |
| 8 MP waterdop selfie camera | 13 MP punch hole selfie camera |
| 48+5+2+2 MP rear quad camera with LED flash | 48 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP rear quad camera with LED flash |
| 32/64/128 GB internal storage + dedicated microSD slot, | 32/64 GB/128 GB internal storage + dedicated microSD slot |
| 2/3/4/6 GB RAM | 2/3/4/6 GB RAM |
| 5000 mAh battery + 15W fast charging | 5000 mAh battery + 15W fast charging |
| from $135 | from $183 |
The specifications of the two devices reveal many similarities and shared features, and a few differences. Let’s talk about them in greater detail.
Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s: Similarities
Both phones are fitted with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD. That is, same size and same type of panel. The display resolution is the same too: 720 x 1600 pixels. And to cap it, aspect ratio is also the same.
Both smartphones were launched with Android 10, and they are both upgradable to Android 11. Will they get Android 12? That is a discussion for another day.
As far as RAM and internal storage is concerned, once again, Samsung A12 and A21s are evenly matched. And it doesn’t end there: another similarity is in battery capacity and charging technology. Both phones have a 5000mAh battery with 15W fast charging.
At this point, it almost looks like the A12 and A21s are exactly the same device with different branding; right? The list of similarities and shared specs has been quite long. But they do have differences, and we explore those in the next section.
Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s: Differences
Starting with the visual differences, the A12 has a waterdrop notch on its display, while the A21s has a punch hole in the top left corner. At the back, the camera island layouts are different as well. But the differences are not merely visual and cosmetic; the cameras themselves are different. Galaxy A12 has an 8-megapixel selfie camera, while the A21s has a 13-megapixel selfie camera.
At the back, the rear cameras are both quad shooters and also almost the same, except for the ultrawide camera. The A12 has a 5-megapixel ultrawide snapper, while the A21s has an 8-megapixel ultrawide snapper. All the other specs of the rear camera are similar: a 48-megapixel main shooter, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and another 2-megapixel depth sensor.
Perhaps the most significant difference between Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s is in the processor department. The A12 has an older and less powerful Helio P35 chipset and PowerVR GE8320 GPU, while the A21s has a more capable EXYNOS 850 chipset and Mali G52 GPU. In layman’s terms, the A21s is the more powerful and more capable of the two devices.
Lastly, is the location of the fingerprint sensor on each device. The A12 has it on the side, while the A21s has it at the back.
Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s: Conclusions
A comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A21s is pretty straightforward. They are identical siblings in many ways, but Galaxy A21s is the more capable of the two devices. This is reflected in the prices as well. You pay a little more for the more powerful processor and cameras, if you choose the A21s. Of course, if you are constrained by a budget, the Galaxy A12 is your default option.
The price of Samsung A12 starts from $135 only, while that of the A21s starts from $183. These prices may vary depending on which country you are resident in. Over to you now: we have presented the information you need to make an informed decision. Which is your choice?